Although there was talent at virtually every position, a critical part of the success of the late 1940s and 1950s was the handiwork of Eddie "Boom Boom" Talboom, the star of Coach Bowden Wyatt's innovative single-wing offense.

Talboom, a South Bend, Ind., native, started his freshman year at Tennessee in 1941, and like many youngsters, became homesick. He transferred to Notre Dame that same year, but put football on hold to join the Army in 1942 and serve his country for four years before returning and working a few years in South Bend.

In 1948, at the age of 28, he was ready to resume playing. Desiring a return to Tennessee, he was told by coaches to look into Wyoming and Coach Wyatt, who had been an All-American for the Vols. Talboom took heed and made an immediate impact for the Cowboys, utilizing his ability to run, pitch or pass under Wyatt's offense. He went on to become a three-time All-Skyline Conference player and became Wyoming's first All-American following the 1950 season. During the 1950 season, Talboom scored 130 points, finishing fourth in the nation, and tallied 330 points throughout his UW career. He set 13 Cowboy scoring records over his three years in Laramie. Talboom was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

About the #120CowboyTough Countdown

The 2013 season will mark the 120th anniversary of Wyoming Cowboy Football. To commemorate that anniversary, we will be counting down some of the great memories and moments from Wyoming football history over the next eight weeks leading up to the Cowboys' season opener at Nebraska on Aug. 31.

The 2013 "Countdown to Kickoff" will take Wyoming fans through Cowboy Football history chronologically. The first week will highlight some of the memorable moments from the period from the first season in 1893 through the 1940s. Then each successive week, the countdown will recall great moments from the 1950s, `60s, 70s, 80, 90s, 2000s and the current decade.

Our countdown will only touch on some of the greatest moments, but we encourage you, the Wyoming fans, to share your favorite memories through the official University of Wyoming Athletics Twitter (@wyoathletics) and Facebook pages (Wyoming Cowboys). Fans are encouraged to use #120CowboyTough when sharing their memories.

Enjoy the countdown, and we look forward to seeing you in War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7 for the home opener versus the Idaho Vandals.